Moxibustion at our Melbourne Clinic
Moxibustion AKA Moxa is a type of heat therapy that is intimately associated with acupuncture. It uses Moxa, a herb commonly known as Mugwort which is processed, refined and aged. Depending on its purpose it can come as a loose herb, rolled into cigar like sticks, mixed with carbon to create smokeless sticks or manufacture into mini stick on pellets. Moxa is usually heated on or near acupuncture points or painful and sore areas.
At Coburg Chinese Medicine we use moxa extensively in our practice. In the Coburg clinic we use moxibustion where appropriate with most of our Acupuncture patients. It is our experience that our patients find moxa treatments to be a comforting and relaxing experience. Some will often look forward to it as the favourite part of their acupuncture session. We have a number of different types of moxa methods we use in our clinic.
Types of Moxa
In the clinic we use moxibustion where appropriate with most of our Acupuncture patients. It is our experience that our patients find moxa treatments to be a comforting and relaxing experience. Some will often look forward to it as the favourite part of their acupuncture session. We have a number of different types of moxa methods we use in our clinic. Below we explain the four most common types we use in the clinic.
Heat Perception Moxa
This Japanese technique is used regularly at the clinic and involves forming small pyramids out of loose moxa and placing them on the skin and lighting them. The practitioner will then ask the patient to advise when the moxa pyramids become warm and then will remove them.
Rice Grain Moxa
Rice grain is a Japanese technique where small rice grain sized pieces of moxa are placed on specific acupuncture points or sites of the body. They are then lit and depending on the method employed extinguished before causing pain. This method can be employed in many circumstances. This method can be used for areas that are sensitive to needle such as the palms and soles for a more enjoyable treatment experience.
Warm Needle Moxa
Warm needle moxa is a method whereby moxa is secure onto the handle of the needle. This method allows a gentle heat to penetrate the needle tip and is very useful in musculoskeletal and arthritic conditions.
Moxa Sticks
The moxa stick is a cigar like tube of moxa covered in either rice or mulberry paper. Smokeless varieties are also available. Moxa sticks are held a small distance away from the skin and are used to warm up large areas. They can also be used in moxa boxes and feel wonderful on the abdomen or lower back. Moxa sticks are also often sent home with patients to support home treatment between appointments.